Kim Hyo-Joo wins LPGA's JTBC Founders Cup ahead of Stacy Lewis
Monday 23 March 2015 09:49, UK
Kim Hyo-Joo fired five late birdies to secure a three shot victory from Stacy Lewis at the JTBC Founders Cup on Sunday.
Beginning the day two strokes clear of Stacy Lewis, the South Korean posted seven birdies during her final round, including five from her final eight holes, to capture her second LPGA Tour.
The 19-year-old had bogeyed the par-four 10th after driving under a tree that had a beehive, before hitting her second to the fairway and failed to get up-and-down for par.
Kim holed a 10-foot birdie putt on the par-four last to complete her first win since last year’s Evian Championship, as Lewis three-putted the 18th for bogey.
"I wasn't concentrating on winning because I was playing with Stacy Lewis and as a rookie," Kim said. "I just felt that by playing with her, I would learn a lot from her. I was just trying to make a good impression as a rookie."
Lewis had reeled off four gains in five holes on her back nine to close the gap on Kim to one stroke, but wasn't able to hole her second shot on the last required to force an unlikely play-off.
"The way I played on the front, to think I could still be within a shot coming up those last few holes was pretty amazing," Lewis said. "I'm proud of the way I hung in there.
"I was in three divots today in the fairway, so that didn't really help things. Even when I did make some putts, she (Kim) made the putts to follow and she put a lot of pressure on."
South Korean Lee Il-Hee grabbed a share of third place alongside Lee Mi-Hyang and Pornanong Phatlum with a six-under 66, while world No 1 Lydia Ko had her third straight 69 to tie for sixth at 15-under, to extender her run of breaking par to 27 tournaments worldwide.
